Rufous-vented Grass Babbler Laticilla burnesii Scientific name definitions

17 cm; c. 19 g. A relatively large prinia with very long and strongly graduated tail, outermost rectrices only one third length of central pair. Male has dark brown streaking over head, but whitish of chin and throat extends over loral area and about eye, giving striking pale-faced appearance which contrasts with warm buff nape and neck sides; upperparts greyish-brown to warm brown, boldly streaked blackish-brown on mantle and scapulars (with rump and uppertail-coverts unstreaked); upperwing-coverts dark brown with warmer brown feather edges, contrasting with plain grey-brown primaries and secondaries; tail olive-brown to grey-brown with weak darker barring, outermost three or four pairs with rusty-buff tips and edges (soon abraded); chin, throat and central underparts whitish, becoming washed warm buff on flanks, which are finely and inconspicuously streaked dark brown; undertail-coverts bright cinnamon-rufous, paler feather tips in very fresh plumage; underwing-coverts whitish; plumage becomes greyer and whiter with wear, but rufous vent always evident; iris medium brown to dark brown; bill dark horn, paler tip and lower mandible; legs pale pink or pinkish-brown. Female is similar to male, but has relatively shorter tail, weaker bill, and a light buff wash across breast. Juvenile has feathers softer and more fluffy than those of adults, much lighter streaking than adult, lacks buff collar and is paler rufous on vent; also much fresher tail structure, with darker rufous feather tips shading into brown of remainder of feather.

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Pakistan (plains of R Indus and its tributaries S from S parts of NWFP and Punjab) and adjacent NW India (riversides of W Punjab, sporadicallly E to Delhi).

Low-lying grassy riverine plains with scattered trees and shrubs, especially acacia (Acacia) and tamarisk (Tamarix); particularly stands of Saccharum grass, with or without Typha and Phragmites. Tolerant of fringes of cultivation where grassy areas fragmented to strips along embankments; found even in quite degraded grassland, but generally not where grasses less than 1 m tall.

Generally resident; post-breeding dispersal takes individuals into parts of NW India where normally absent.

Food insects; no precise details. Keeps well hidden, feeding on or near ground in pairs or family parties. Spends most of time low in grassy tussocks, flitting between clumps; generally inconspicuous. Slips through bases of grassy tussocks with great agility; sometimes feeds on ground, by turning over dead leaves. If flushed, flies low, soon tumbling back into cover, and is rarely flushed for a second time.

Song, chiefly in evening, a loud, rich clear warbling phrase of c. 2–4 seconds in duration, increasing in pitch and volume, with sudden switches in direction (but lacking trills) towards end of phrase; very different from that of congeners (except L. cinerascens), in some aspects has been likened to song of Dunnock (Prunella modularis); reported as sometimes singing in duet, presumed female giving rising and falling “tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk…” in rhythm with male. Calls include drawn-out nasal rising and then falling “skeeeooo”; also nasal rattle of alarm, rapidly repeated “chit” when agitated, and wheezy “feez”.

Breeds Feb–Sept, chiefly during wet season. Nest, seemingly built by female alone, a deep cup of coarse grasses, lined with vegetable down, fine grasses and few feathers, well concealed at base of grass clump, virtually on ground and often at edge of clearing. Clutch 4 eggs; no information on incubation and nestling periods.

Not assessed. When lumped with L. cinerascens, considered Near-­threatened; as a separate species, seems likely to qualify for the same category, but perhaps no worse. Locally numerous in Indus floodplain in Pakistan, where range includes the banks of the five rivers of the Punjab (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej); most numerous in Punjab and N Sind, but rare in the more arid S Sind. In India extremely localized, but probably locally frequent along politically sensitive Pakistan border in Punjab; most easily seen at Harike, near Amritsar. This species’ tolerance of a degree of habitat degradation through grazing, burning and cutting, as well as its ability to utilize vegetation provided by creation of irrigation systems and man-made lakes, should ensure its survival. Has spread along watercourses, irrigation systems and lakes into areas where formerly absent.